In the storied history of Monterey Plainsmen baseball Gary Ashby is one of the first names that come to mind, but it was never just about one man for the MHS baseball program.

“Back in the early seventies Monterey was loaded, one of the largest high schools in the state loaded with talent. You didn’t just go play something because you wanted to play it you didn’t make the team just cause you showed up so I was just tickled to death to make the baseball team.”

Ashby was a starter from 1971 to 1973 for legendary coach Bobby Moegle. The first baseman hit a staggering .429 his sophomore season and in 1972 the Plainsmen brought home coach Moegle’s first state championship.

“Here’s this great coach but he never had a state championship, we had the opportunity to be on his first state championship team. There’s a five year stretch in there that Monterey or the team that beat Monterey by one run won state.”

When it was time to leave Monterey Ashby could have played almost anywhere he wanted to. Coach Moegle though suggested he stay right here in Lubbock.

“Why don’t you go out here to Tech start four years play every year and enjoy that and I thought ok I’ll just do that. If he’d said why don’t you go to Harvard and try law school there, oh ok I’ll try that.”

Ashby’s legend continued to grow as a Red Raider. He was a four year starter at Texas Tech and by the time he left, the first baseman held single season records for home runs, RBIs and doubles. He was named an NCAA All-American after his senior year. In 1977 the former Plainsmen was drafted by the San Diego Padres. He played five years of minor league baseball before returning to the Hub City.
 

“I wound up just calling them and saying just bring me to big league camp or trade me or I’m not coming back. We don’t have room at big league camp we’re not going to trade you, my last words were well I’m not coming back and I hung up the phone and I really never regretted it.”

From 1984 to 1986 Gary Ashby was the man in charge of Texas Tech baseball, he wouldn’t get back into coaching until his son Taylor was ready to play the sport.

Since he moved to Lubbock from Silver, Texas, Ashby has always loved this city and doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

“Oh shoot I wouldn’t be anywhere else you know people I got friends in all that say I’m going to retire to the lake crap I’m going to retire to right here.”